Rural India is home of the original gig-economy worker. Enterprising villagers hop from tilling fields to tending shops, to door-to-door selling each day. Read the latest trends in micro-enterprises, rural start-ups and the shifting livelihoods of India’s villagers.
Livelihoods
Rural youth turn to cool eco-tourism jobs
Converted into an eco-tourism facility, the scenic spot near Kodar Dam in Chhattisgarh offers a perfect weekend get-away, while ensuring local employment for rural youth and better income.
Boom in Kashmir’s bloom business
Stuck at home in the pandemic, many Kashmiris became avid gardeners and are now turning their passion into a business by transforming their backyard patches into plant nurseries.
Black cardamom loses flavour among Kalimpong farmers
Farmers who considered black cardamom a golden crop are now shifting to other crops due to losses caused by plant diseases and their own reluctance to adopt modern farming practices.
“Beej Gram” scheme makes farming financially viable
Farmers benefit by distributing seeds produced from the high quality foundation seeds that the Government of Madhya Pradesh supplies at a subsidised rate.
“I drove taxis and lorries to feed my family”
When PG Deepamol’s husband became unwell, she had to drive cabs and lorries to support her family. Now she is Kerala’s first woman ambulance pilot and finds helping patients the most rewarding of all driving jobs. Read her story in her own words.
Kalbeliya beadwork hanging by a thread
Most famous for their ‘snake charmer’ dance, the Kalbeliya tribes have another precious legacy they are desperate to preserve and earn a livelihood from - the unique bead jewellery that is part of their costume.
From off-roading to healthcare – Kerala’s first woman ambulance pilot
From winning off-road jeep competitions to rushing the sick to hospital in ambulances - Kerala’s first woman ambulance pilot combines her passion for driving and service, while also being a role model for young women to follow their dreams.
Is the art of Tibetans in India vanishing?
As children of Tibetan refugees in India seek greener pastures abroad, the once-flourishing Tibetan arts and crafts industry is suffering as there are fewer people interested in their religious handicrafts.
The exploitative tale behind your morning brew
Smiling tea leaf pluckers on tea packs and advertisements paint an idyllic picture of lush green tea estates, but it’s often a tale of exploitation and lack of essential healthcare.